Magic goes digital

IT devices, multimedia fuel already growing popularity of magic
Jin Hyo-beom, a professional magician based in Gwangju, was tired of doing the same old magic tricks on stage.
But the 30-year-old illusionist had an idea ― magic tricks for digital devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs.

The iPhone and iPad have become the main tools for Jin’s acts on stage. With the gadgets, he can conjure up pretty much everything from a cup of coffee to a bunch of roses. People love the idea of turning the same IT products in their hands into magic instruments, Jin said.

“People were surprised to see that their IT devices can do magic and wanted to learn the tricks behind it,” Jin, one of the leading figures in media magic, told The Korea Herald.
Jin doesn’t just want to share his world of media magic with people on stage. He has developed smartphone apps for people wanting to do simple magic tricks with their friends.

“People can do small but surprising tricks by using iPhone’s innovative functions such as the microphone, touch screen and gravity sensor,” he said.

Last year, Jin even launched an app-developing company to increase interest in magic.

The magician developed six apps including popular “Into the Phones” and “Magic School.” Magic School, which provides a series of video lessons, was a hit. The paid app now has around 30,000 subscribers in Korea.

The methods behind magic are no longer always a secret thanks to multimedia and a growing internet market.


Source: koreaherald.com